The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999
LOT 423
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 397351,case No. 7945, 1950's.Very fine, rectangular, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with 18K yellow gold bracelet "à petites mailles" and pink gold buckle.
CHF 3,500 - 4,000
Sold: CHF 2,300
C. French, two body, massive, polished, hinged case back, faceted bezel, flat top crystal. D. champagne with painted indexes. "Bâton" blued steel hands.M. 9''', rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration,15 jewels, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance,5 adjustments, Breguet balance-spring.Dial and movement signed, numbered on the case.Dim. 24 x 30 mm.Bracelet measuring approx. 170 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: * 4 |
|
Dial: 4 - 01 |
Notes
This watch was probably cased in France in the 1950's, but the movement was made in 1923.During the years that followed the second World War, a customs regulation was temporarily introduced in France, forbidding the import of watch cases made of precious metals, to protect French craftmen working in this particular field.During this whole period, agents for Swiss Manufacturers in France received from Geneva only the watch movements and respective dials, while the watch cases themselves were produced in Paris. These watch cases were made either on the basis of those producted by the manufacture, or as exclusive cases for watches intended solely for the French Market.All the watch cases of French production are marked with the eagle head, which is the official hallmark, applied on all jewelry and gold items, by the official body regulating precious metals, Service officiel du Contrôle des Métaux Précieux. Such watch cases do not therefore bear the Swiss hallmarks nor inded the Master Marks.